Machine for polishing wire stock



Feb. 19, 1935. J. E. BATIE 1,991,485

MACHINE FOR POLISHING WIRE STOCK Fi1ed Aug. 1o. 1951 4 sheets-sheet 1 ATTO R N EYS Feb. 19, 1935. J. En BA1-1E MACHINE'FOR POLISHING WIRE STOCK 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 5 k m@ m 5. mh n w, ,AN Lf Filed Aug. 10, 1931.

i f1 Wm Sm@ NRV Feb. 19, 1935.

J. E. BATIE 1,991,485

MACHINE FOR POLISHING WIRE STOCK Filed Aug. l0. 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 NNNNNN OR .ATTORNEY Feb. 19, 1935. 1 BA-nE 1,991,485

MACHINE FOR POLISHING WIRE STOCK Filed Aug. 10, 1931 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 95 /oof 96 INVENTOR Wm #WM ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 19, 1935 MACHINE FOR PATENT ori-lcs POLISHING WIRE STOCK Joseph E. Batie, Detroit, Mich., asslgnor to Kelsey-Hayes Wheel Corporation,

Detroit,

Mich., a corporation of New 'York` Application August 10,

17 Claims.

'I'his invention relates generally to polishing machines and refers more particularly to machines for polishing wire stock.

One of the principal objects of this invention resides in the compact and relatively simple means provided for uniformly polishing all sides of the wire stock as the latter is advanced along a predetermined path.

Another advantageous feature of this invention consists in the provision of a wire polishing machine capable of treating the wire stock prior to its introduction into stock forming apparatus. 'I'he arrangement is such that the polishing and 'forming operations may be effected continuously,

and to this end the invention contemplates means for automatically varying the rate of delivery of the polished Wire stock from the polishing machine in accordance with the rate of consumption of said stock or in dependence upon variations in the capacity of the forming apparatus.

Another object of this invention consists in the provision of polishing means for the stock in the form of an abrasive member simultaneously movable around the path of travel of the stock and in a direction transverse to the direc--k tion of movement of the stock or across the same. A further object of the present: invention which contributes materially to uniformly polishing the stock during its passage through the machine resides in the provision of a plurality of abrasive members movable as a unit in the manner previously set forth and alternately engageable with opposite side portions of the stock at longitudinally spaced points so as to insure engagement of the abrasive members with all sides of the stock. In addition to the foregoing, this invention contemplates means operable by the stock for automatically controlling the rate of movement of the latter along the path of travel of the same and for proportionately varying the speed of rotation of the abrasive members around the stock while maintaining the velocity of the abrasive members across the stock constant.

A still further advantageous feature of' the present invention consists in the provision of means for automatically maintaining the pressure exerted upon the stock by the abrasive members substantially constant irrespective of variations in sizeor wear of the latter, together with means for permitting the abrasive members to be readily removed from the machine when desired.

The foregoing as well as other objects will be made more apparent as this description pro- 1931, Serial No. 556,231

ceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a polishing machine constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side elevational view of the machine with certain parts broken away for the sake of clearness;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary sectional View taken substantially on the line 5 5 of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a semi-diagrammatic plan view of a portion of the stock feeding mechanism.

While the polished wire produced by the machine illustrated herein is capable of many and diversified uses, nevertheless, the machine ilnds particular utility when employed in the manufacture of vehicle wheels having polished Wire spokes and accordingly, the polished wire delivered by this machine is adapted to be fed directly to suitable spoke forming apparatus not shown herein.

In detail, the machine illustrated in Figure 1 comprises a base 10 having an upwardly extending projection 11 at the forward end thereof and having a bracket 12 secured to the rear end thereof and extending upwardly therefrom. Supported by the bracket 12 upon opposite sides of the `path of travel of the wire stock through the machine is a pair of feed rolls 13 and 14 having their axes arranged in a common vertical plane and having registering grooves 14 in the peripheral portions thereof providing for the passage of the wire stock therebetween. The lower roll 14 is adapted to be driven by a suitable prime mover in a manner to be more fully hereinafter described, while the upper roll 13 serves to exert a pressure upon the wire stock to urge the same into frictional engagement with the driving roll 14. As shown particularly in Figure 3, the upper roll is journaled in a floating bearing 15 carried by the bracket 12 and normally urged toward and away from the roll 14 by means of suitable coil springs 16 and 17 engageable with the upper and lower sides of the bearing-respectively. 'I'he tension of the coil springs 16 and 17 may be varied by a rotatable adjustable element 18 having a shank portion 19 threaded within the bracket and engageable with the upper end of the coil spring 16. 'I'he arrangement is such that adjustment of the element -18 varies the tension of the springs 16 and 17 Which in turn varies the pressure exerted by the rolls upon the wire stock. Supported upon the bracket 12 in rear of the feed rolls 13 and 14 are a pair of wire straighteners 20 and 21 arranged in planes extending in directions substantially transverse to each other. In the present instance, the forwardmost wire straightener 21 is arranged in substantially a horizontal plane, While the adjacent wire' straightener 20 is arranged in a substantially vertical plane. Wire straightener 21 ispositioned upon the bracket 12 for receiving the wire stock from a suitable spool 22 rotatably mounted upon a standard 23 positioned in any suitable manner upon the support for the base 10 of the machine. Each of the wire straighteners is provided with two sets ofl rollers 24 and 25 arranged in staggered relation to each other upon opposite sides of the path of travel of the wire stock through the straighteners. The rolls are so positioned that the peripheral portionsl thereof project slightly into the path of travel of the stock so as to exert a pressure upon all sides of the same during its passage from the spool 22 to the feed rolls 13 and 14. The arrangement is such as to remove any curvature in the stock prior to its admission to the feed rolls 13 and 14.

J ournaled upon the frame 10 in advance of the feed rolls 13 and 14 is a rotatable frame 26 having means for polishing the wire stock as the same is continuously advanced therethrough by the feed rolls. The forward end of the frame 26 terminates in a shaft 27 journaled within the upwardly extending projection 11 of the frame, While the rear end of the frame 26 is journaled upon a work spindle 28. As shown in Figure 3, the Work spindle 28 is mounted for axial adjustment within a bracket 29 extending upwardly from the base 10 and is adapted to engage within a reces`s 30 formed in the end wall 31 of the frame. Adjustment of the work spindle 28 relative to the frame is accomplished by means of a suitable hand wheel 32 operatively connected to the rear end of the spindle in such a manner as to permit the forward end of the spindle to be removed from engagement with the frame when desired. For reasons which will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, the axis of rotation of the frame is coincident with the path of travel of the wire stock therethrough and accordingly, the frame, shaft 27 and spindle 28 are provided with axially extending aligned bores of suilcient dimension to permit passage of the stock therethrough.

For polishing the Wire stock as the same is passed continuously through the frame by the feed rolls 13 and 14, I provide a plurality of polishing belts or abrasive members 33 mounted upon the frame at spaced intervals and engageable with opposite sides of the wire stock. As will be presently described, the straps are rotatable as a unit with the frame about the axis thereof or about the path of travel of the stock and, in addition, are simultaneously moved in a direction transverse to the axis of rotation of the frame or across the wire stock. While the number of straps provided may vary in accordance with the design of the machine, nevertheless, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown four sets of straps indicated herein by the reference characters 34, 35, 36 and 37. In detail, the four sets of straps encircle the frame at points spaced longitudinally thereof and are reeved over four sets of pulleys mounted upon theframe, in such a manner that the belts form triangular gures as clearly shown in Figure 4. The four sets of pulleys are designated The herein by the reference characters 38, 39, 40 and 41 and each of the sets comprises three pulleys 42, 43 and 44 arranged in substantially a common vertical plane. The pulleys 42 and 44 of each set are secured at spaced intervals to a pair of drive shafts and 46, respectively, having the opposite ends journaled in suitable bearings 47 projecting outwardly from the frame. The remaining pulleys 43 alternately extend upon opposite sides of the pulleys 44 and 45 and are adjustably connected to the frame in a manner to be presently described for varying the length of the belts and to permit the latter to be readily replaced when necessary.

The shafts 45 and 46 are arranged upon opposite sides of the frame with the axes thereof spaced at equal distances from the axis of rotation of the frame and are disposed in a common plane with the latter axis so as to secure a running balance for the frame. Moreover, owing to the fact that the path of travel of the stock is coincident with the axis of rotation of the frame and due to the fact that the pulleys 42 and 44 of each set are of greater diameter than the stock and are mounted upon the shafts 45 and 46, it necessarily follows that the stock engaging portions of the strap traveling between peripheries of these pulleys is deflected inwardly as shown in Figure 4 causing the straps to exert a relatively great pressure upon the wire stock.

The walls of the frame 26 opposite the portions 48 of the belts diverge inwardly from the outer edges thereof as indicated by the reference character 49 so as to permit the necessary inward deflection of the belts and so as to expose portions of the wire stock for engagement by the belts. In this connection, it is to be noted that the wire stock is guided through the frame and supported upon opposite sides of the several straps during the polishing operation by means of suitable guides or bushings 50 fixed within the central bore through the frame adjacent the diverging walls 49 set forth above. As clearly shown in Figure 3, the guides 50 are arranged adjacent opposite edges of each strap in close proximity thereto and serve to prevent deformation of the wire stock by the polishing pressure of the straps. As will be deducted from the previous description, the portions 48 of the straps alternately engage opposite sides of the Wire stock passing through the frame and accordingly, the diverging wall portions 49 of the frame are also arranged to alternately extend upon opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the frame. The arrangement is such that while a portion of one diverging wall assumes a position on one side of the axis of rotation, the equivalent portion of the adjacent diverging wall is arranged upon the opposite side of the axis of rotation, thereby counterbalancing each other and maintaining the frame in balance.

As previously indicated, the pulleys 43 are adjustably secured to the frame 26. Inl detail, the pulleys 43 are secured to idler shafts 51 which in turn are journaled in the outer ends of suitable brackets 52 having the inner ends thereof pivotally connected to the frame as at 53. The pulleys 43 are normally urged in a direction to tension the belts by means of tensioning devices 54 having the inner ends pivotally connected to the frame as at 55 and having spring pressed plungers reciprocably mounted in the opposite end portions thereof and pivotally connected to the arms 52 as at 56. Each tensioning device is formed of normally aligned tubular sections 57 moved to the dot and dash line position specified above. Movement of the pulleys 43 inwardly by folding the tensioning devices obviously aifords sufficient play in the belts to permit the same to be readily removed from vthe pulleys 44 and 45. As indicated above, tensioning of the belts is accomplished by locating a`reciprocable plunger 60 within the sections 57 of each device and normal; ly urging the plungers outwardly to effect a corresponding movement of the pulleys 43 by a coil spring 61 arranged within the tubular sections 57 as clearly shown in Figure 4. Swinging movement of the pulleys 43 about their pivotal connections 53 is restricted by means of a slot and pin connection between the lframe and arms 52. In detail, the arms 52 are provided with slots 62 having a radius developed from the axis of pivotal movement of the arms and adapted to receive pins 63 carried by extensions 64 upon the frame.

While the pulleys 43 are capable of adjustment, nevertheless, it is to be noted. that a plane passing through the axes thereof substantially bisects the axis of rotation of the frame and is arranged at substantially right angles to .the plane extending through the axes of the xed pulleys 44 and 45 so as to substantially counterbalance the latter. As will .be` observed from Figure 4 of the drawings, the pivotal connections 53 between the arms and frame are arranged alternatively on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the frame and at equal distances from this axis. It will further be seen that the tensioning devices also assume `corresponding alternate positions with respect to the axis of rotation of the frame. In otherwords, the entire construction is so designed and the parts are so positioned with respect to the axis of rotation ofthe frame as to maintain as near as possible a perfect running balance.

One of the important features of the present invention consists in not only rotating the frame to insure engagement of the straps with all sides of the wire stock as the sameis passed through the frame, but at the same time to move the belts around the pulleys or in other words, across the stock so as to efliciently polish the same. It is, therefore, necessary to provide some means for effecting rotation of the pulleys and this is accomplished herein by operatively connecting the shafts 45 and46 to a prime mover 65 secured in any suitable manner to the portion 11 of the base 10. The connection between the shafts and prime mover comprises a double gear 66 journaled upon the shaft 27 of the frame and having one set of teeth 67 meshing with idler gears 68 journaled in the forward end of the frame 26 upon diametrically opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the frame. The idler gears 68 mesh with suitable pinions 69 secured to the forward ends of the shafts 45 and 46 and serve to rotate the pulleys 42 and 44 secured to these shafts. The other set of teeth 70 on the double gear 66 is arranged to be connected by means of a chain 7l to a suitable sprocket wheel 72 fixed to the motor shaft 65. The driving mechanism previously set forth functions independently of the driving mechanism about to be described for rotating the frame and is so designed as to effect rotation of the straps about their respective pulleys during rotation of the frame.

For rotating the frame at the same time the abrasive members carried by the frame are moved across the wire stock to polish the same, I provide a prime mover in the form of an electric motor 73 operatively connected to the frame through a variable speed transmission designated generally herein by the reference character 74. While various types of transmissions '74 may be employed, nevertheless, I have found that a Reeves type of variable speed transmission gives particularly satisfactory results and accordingly,

...aL-have selected this -well known type of transmission for the purpose of illustration herein.

In general, the transmission 74 comprises a drive shaft 75 having a sprocket 76 secured to one end thereof which in turn is adapted to be operatively connected to a suitable sprocket 77 secured to the motor shaft 78 by means of a chain 79. Splined to the drive shaft 75 for sliding movement axially thereof is a pair of opposed conical pulleys 80 and 81 operatively connected to a second pair of opposed conical pulleys 82 and 83 nonrotatably mounted upon a shaft 84. Thesecond set of pulleys is slidably splined to the shaft 84 in the same manner as the pulleys 80 and 81 and are connected to the latter pulleys by means of a belt 85 of a truncated cross section. The ar rangement is such that by moving the pulleys of each pair toward or from each other, the radius of the bearing of the belt thereon can be changed to vary the speed of rotation of the shaft 84. Such adjustment of the pulleys may be accomplished by a pair of pivotal levers 86 and 87 which are preferablyvforked to engage grooved collars 88 on the pulleys and are so arranged that when the pulleys of one pair are moved toward each other, those of the other pair are correspondingly separated. The levers 86 and 87 are actuated in the above manner by means of cams 89 and 90, respectively, on a rockshaft 91 operated by a suitable reverse motor 92 through the gear chain 93. An electric motor is preferably used for this purpose and operation of the same is controlled by a suitable switch 94 which in turn is automatically operated in a manner to be presently described. The shaft 84 is operatively connected to a shaft 95 by means of a, sprocket chain 96 and the shaft 95 in turn is connected to the feed roll 14 and frame 26 for rotating the same. In detail, Vthe shaft upon which the feed roll 14 is secured is provided with a sprocket 97 operatively connected by a chain 98 to -a sprocket 99 secured to the shaft 95. The latter shaft is also provided with a sprocket 100 operatively connected by means of the chain 101 to a sprocket 102 secured to a shaft 103 journaled upon the forward end of the base l0. The shaft 103 has secured thereto a worm gear 104 adapted to mesh with a worm wheel 105 secured to the forward end of the shaft 27 formed integral with the frame 26. Thus, it will be seen that the frame 26 and feed roll 14 are rotated by the common driven shaft 95 of the transmission with the result that a change in speed of rotation of the frame also effects a corresponding change in speed of rotation of the feed roll 14.

As one of the principal objects of this invention is to automatically vary the rate of travel of the wire stock in dependence upon the capacity of the wire forming machine to which the stock is adapted to be delivered, it is essential to provide means for shifting the two pairs of adjustable pulleys in accordance with the rate of consumption of the wire stock delivered by the machine. In the specific embodiment of the invention, the foregoing is vaccomplished by providing means actuated by the stock as the same is delivered from the machine for effecting Operation of the switch 94 which in turn controls movement of the conical pulleys hereinbefore described. In detail, and with special reference to Figure 3, it will be noted that the delivery end of the machine is provided with a forwardly extending bracket 106 in the form of a spider having circumferentially spaced sets of guide rolls 107 journaled upon the spider in such a manner that the axes thereof extend radially from a common center designated herein by the reference character 108. The peripheral portions of the rolls 107 are grooved forming an arcuate passage around the center 108 for the wire stock as it is delivered from the machine. In other words, the wire stock is looped between each set of rolls to form in effect a ring designated generally by the reference character 109. The construction is such that as the wire is delivered from the machine, the same is directed in a circular path to form a loop prior to entering the wire forming apparatus. It will be apparent from the foregoing that if the capacity of the wire forming apparatus varies for any particular reason, the size of the loop 109 of the wire stock will either diminish or increase depending upon whether the speed of the forming operations is slowed down or increased. It necessarily follows, therefore, that if the actuating means for the switch is so designed as to be sensitive to the dimension of the loop, the two sets of variable speed pulleys may be actuated in accordance with the size of the loop. For accomplishing this result, I provide two pairs of pivotal arms 110, 111, 112 and 113. The arms 110 and 112 are pivotally mounted exteriorly of the loop and have rollers 114 at the free ends thereof engageable with the outer side of the loop at circumferentially spaced points. The arms are connected together by means of a rod 115 so arranged that corresponding movements of the arms by the wire stock will be insured. The arm 112 is normally yieldably maintained in engagement with the outer sides of the wire stock by means of a coil spring 116 encircling the forward end of the rod 117 having the rear end thereof operatively connected to the switch 95 for closing the circuit to the motor 92 to rotate the drive shaft thereof in one direction. The free ends of the arms 110 and 112 are provided with suitable projections 118 alternately engaging opposite sides of the wire s0 as to maintain the latter in engagement with the rollers 114. The arms 111 and 113 are arranged within the boundary of the wire loop and are pivotally connected to the spider as at 119. The free ends of the latter arms are provided with rollers 120 spaced a predetermined distance inwardly from the rollers 114 for engagement with the inner side of the wire loop 109. The levers 111 and 113 are also provided with projections 121 for alternately engaging opposite sides of the loop to guide the same and, in addition, are connected together by means of a rod 122 so as to insure corresponding movements thereof. The lever 113 is normally yieldably urged in a direction to engage the wire loop by means of a coil spring 123 encircling the forward end of a rod 124 having the rear end thereof operatively connected tothe switch 94 for completing a circuit to the motor 92 to rotate the drive shaft thereof in the opposite direction.

With the above construction, it will be apparent that in the event that the rate of consumption of the polished wire stock by the forming apparatus is reduced, the loop 109 will increase in diameter. As the loop 109 increases in diameter, the same engages the rolls 114 upon the levers 110 and 112 and causes these levers to swing outwardly about their pivotal connections to the spider. Outward movement of the levers 112 by the wire causes the rod 117 to move rearwardly and close the circuit to the motor 92. Closing of the circuit to the motor 92 by the rod 117 causes the drive shaft of the motor to rotate in a direction to effect separation of the conical pulleys 80 and 81 and movement of the conical pulleys 82 and 83 toward each other. This arrangement increases the ratio between the drive shaft 75 of the transmission and the driven shaft 95 thereon, with the result that the speed of rotation of the feed roll 14 and polishing frame 26 will be correspondingly reduced. Slowing up the rate of travel of the wire stock through the ma chine as stated above obviously effects a reduction in the size of the loop 109 and accordingly, permits the levers 110 and 112 to move inwardly under the action of the spring 116 and thereby effect a corresponding forward movement of the rod 117 to open the circuit to the motor and discontinue operation thereof.

Assuming now that the capacity ofthe forming apparatus is increased, it will be noted that the size of the loop 109 will be diminished. As the size of the loop 109 is diminished, the same is caused to engage the rolls 120 on the arms 111 and 113 which eventually effects a swinging movement of the arms 111 and 113 in a direction to exert a forward pull upon the rod 124. Movement of the rod 124 forwardly closes the circuit to the motor 92 and effects rotation of the drive shaft thereof in a direction to cause the pulleys 80 and 81 to move toward each other and the pulleys 82 and 83 to separate, thereby decreasing the ratio between the drive shaft 75 of the transmission and driven shaft 95 thereof. Increased speed of rotation of the driven shaft 95 obviously effects a corresponding increase in speed of rotation of the feed roll 14 and polishing frame 26 with the result that the rate of travel of the wire through the machine is increased causing the wire loop 109 to enlarge in diameter and thereby permit the arms 111 and 113 to move to their normal positions wherein the rod 124 functions to open the switch and discontinue operation of the motor 92.

Thus, from the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided an improved polishing machine which may be used to advantage in combination with suitable wire forming apparatus to feed polished wire thereto in accordance with the capacity of the same. It will further be observed that the polishing mechanism herein provided insures eciently polishing all portions of the wire stock irrespective of the rate of travel of the latter through the machine since the velocity of the polishing straps across-the stock is maintained constant.

What I claim asv my invention is:

1. A machine for polishing stock prior to introducing the stock to forming apparatus, comprising means for advancing the stock along 'a predetermined path, means for polishing the stock during its travel along said path, and means operable in dependence upon the capacity of the forming apparatus for controlling the rate o! travel of the stock.

2. A machine for polishing stock prior to ln troducing the stock to forming apparatus, comprising means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, abrasive members for polishing the stock, and means operable in dependence upon the capacity of the forming apparatus comprising means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, abrasive members for polishing the stock during its advancement along said path, and means associated with the delivery end of the machine and actuated by the stock subsequent to the polishing operation for automatically varying the rate ot delivery of the stock in dependence upon the capacity of the forming apparatus.

5. A machine for polishing strip stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means engageable with said 4stock to polish the latter, and means actuated by the stock for automatically regulating the rate of travel of the same. v

6. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path including, a variable speed transmission, means spaced along the path of travel of the stock and engageable therewith for polishing the same, and means actuated by the stock for automatically operating the transmission to vary the rate of travel of the stock.

7. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means operatively positioned with respect to the path of travel of the stock for polishing the latter, means engageable with the stock for directing the same in a variable loop at a predetermined point in its path of travel, and means operable in dependence upon variations in the size of the loop for controlling the rate of travel of the stock along said path.

8. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, abrasive means arranged in operative relation to the path of travel of the stock for polishing the same, means associated with the delivery end of the machine for directing and guiding the stock in a variable circular path, and means operable in dependence upon variations in size of the circular path of the stock for automatically controlling the rate of movement of the stock along the path of travel of the same.

9. Al machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, abrasive means arranged in operative relation to the path of travel of the stock for polishing the latter, means engageable with the stock for directing the same in a variable loop, means positioned for engagement by the looped stock when the loop is decreased in size for increasing the rate of movement of the stock along the path of travel thereof, and means.

S podtioned for engagement by the looped stock when the loop is increased in sizeior decreas' ing the rate of movement o! the stock along said predetermined path.

l0. A machine for polishing 'wire stock oomprising, a base, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means mounted for rotation upon said base and positioned in operative relation to the path of travel of the stock for polishing the same, means for rotating said polishing means, and means operable in dependence upon the consumption of the polished stock delivered` by the machine for automatically controlling the rate of movement of the stock along said predetermined path and for varying the speed of rotation of the polishing means accordingly.

11. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, a base, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means mounted for rotation upon the base in operative relation to the path of travel of the stock for polishing the latter, means for rotating said polishing means, a variable speed transmission having common means for controlling the rate of movement of the stock along said predetermined path and for varying the speed of rotation of the polishing means, and means operable in dependence upon the rate of consumption` or the polished stock for actuating said common means. s

12. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, abrasive members rotatable about the path of travel of the stock and engageable therewith tor-polishing the same, means for rotating the abrasive members, means operable in dependence upon the rate of consumpton of the polished wire stock delivered by the machine for controlling the rate of travel of the stock along said predetermined path and for varying the speed of rotation or the abrasive members accordingly, and means operable independent of said last-mentioned means for simultaneously vmoving said abrasive members transverse to the axisAof rotation thereof.

13. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means for polishing the wire stock including a frame rotatable about the path of travel of the stock, abrasive members carried by the frame and engageable with the stock, means for rotating the frame, means operable in dependence upon the rate of delivery of the polished stock for automatically controlling the rate of travel of said stock along said predetermined path and for varying the speed of rotation of said frame, and means operable independent of said last-mentioned means for rotating said abrasive members.

14. A machine for polishing wire stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, abrasive members engageable with portions of the stock and movable as a unit around the path of travel of the stock, means for simultaneously moving the abrasive members in a direction transverse to the direction of movement of the stock, and means for automatically varying the rate of travel of the stock and the speed of rotation of the abrasive members around the stock while maintaining the velocity of the latter members across the stock substantially constant.

15. A machine for polishing stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means operable in dependence upon the rate of consumption of the .stock for varying the rate of advancement of the same, and means .engageable with the stock to polish the latter including a polishing member rotatable about Ythe path of travel of the stock vat a speed variable in dependence upon variations in the rate of: travel of the stock.

16. A machine for polishing stock comprising, means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means operable in dependence upon the rate of consumption of the stock for varying the rate of advancement of the same, means engageable with the stock to polish the latter including a polishing member rotatable about the path of travel of the stock at a speed variable in dependence upon variations in the rate of travel of the stock, and means for simultaneously moving said polishing member across the stock at a constant velocity irrespective of the variations in the rate of travel of the stock and the speed of rotation of the polishing member.

17. A machine for polishing stock comprising. means for advancing the stock along a predetermined path, means for polishing the stock during its advancement, means engageable with the 

